Is interleukin-18 associated with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2011 Jan 18:9:7. doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-7.

Abstract

Background: Recent research show that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have an association with low-grade chronic inflammation, IL-18 is considered as a strong risk marker of inflammation.

Methods: To investigate serum IL-18 concentrations in PCOS patients and focus on its relationship between obesity and insulin resistance (IR). Sixty consecutive women with PCOS and thirty controls were recruited. Serum level of IL-18 and fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) were measured.

Results: Serum levels of IL-18 was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in the PCOS group with IR than in the PCOS group without IR. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in obese PCOS patients than in lean PCOS patients. Serum level of IL-18 was higher in lean PCOS patients than in the lean control group. Serum level of IL-18 in the PCOS group was positively related to BMI, IR index and T.

Conclusion: IL-18 level was increased in PCOS patients, and correlated with insulin resistance, obesity and hyperandrogenism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance
  • Interleukin-18 / blood*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Obesity / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Insulin
  • Interleukin-18
  • Testosterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone